Cummings School Story

In 1978, Tufts University past-president, Jean Mayer’s revolutionary idea to establish a visionary veterinary school with a “One Medicine” mission and shared coursework with Tufts medical school became a reality. Today, more than 35 years later, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine embraces and broadens Mayer’s strategic directive continuing to advance One Health initiatives that improve the health and well-being of animals, humans and the environment.

Cummings School faculty advance science, improve patient care and most importantly assure that our students approach the veterinary profession with knowledge-filled, open minds, and the drive to make a difference in the world.

The only veterinary school in New England, our progressive academic programs, high-quality clinical care services, and original research has brought Tufts University national and worldwide acclaim. We offer a four-year professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program, three combined DVM/Masters of Science degree programs, and four stand-alone graduate programs. Furthermore, our distinctive One Health programs focused on infectious disease research, comparative oncology, international medicine, wildlife, conservation medicine and human-animal interactions – help us educate a new breed of One Health graduates.

Research is central to the work of Tufts University and is at the very heart of academic life. Cummings School is nationally and internationally recognized for faculty contributions in many research areas, including regenerative medicine, infectious disease, reproductive biology, and hepatic disease. Our students gain invaluable research experience collaborating with faculty mentors in our Student Research Training Programs including the NIH-funded Summer Research Program currently in its 26th year.

Cummings Veterinary Medical Center treats more than 80,000 patients a year including small companion animals, exotic pets, horses, farm animals, or sick and injured wildlife creatures. We train and engage future veterinarians and advance the field of veterinary medicine through integrated clinical research programs. Our students are exposed to and often work alongside faculty members who engage in some of the latest research and leading-edge treatments.

Located in North Grafton, Massachusetts; our 594-acre campus is just 30 miles west of the city of Boston. Our students can take advantage of the area’s internationally renowned teaching hospitals and biomedical research centers, as well as join in the vibrant atmosphere of more than 300,000 college students living, learning, and growing together.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has helped more than 2,000 graduates establish successful careers in a variety of fields, ranging from clinical practice and biomedical research to pioneering positions in international medicine, conservation medicine, and public health.

We value our strong partnership with Cummings Foundation and its long-term commitment to supporting our school’s mission of “healing animals, helping humans, and transforming global health.” In alignment with our efforts, Cummings Foundation, through its two grant-making affiliates: OneWorld Boston, Inc. and Cummings Institute for World Justice, LLC funds local, national and international projects.

Cummings School was fully re-accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA/COE) in March of 2012, for a term of seven years, the longest period allowable by the AVMA/COE. For the last five years, 98.8 percent of our graduating DVM’s have passed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). The current AVMA Council on Education standard requires 80 percent of graduating seniors to pass the exam by the time of graduation.